By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 4 -- Statoil ASA has spudded its first oil exploration well on its Linerle prospect in the Norwegian Sea. The prospect, which lies about 20 km northeast of Norne field, is on Block 6608/11 in Production Licence 128.
The well is being drilled by Stavanger-based Smedvig ASA's dynamically positioned West Navigator deepwater drillship through a $13 million contract (OGJ Online, Feb. 2, 2004).
The Linerle prospect, which is thought to potentially contain oil, belongs to a sequence that also includes the Svale and Falk structures, where recoverable oil deposits have already been proven, Statoil reported.
The well, which was spudded Apr. 30, is expected to be completed in 20 days.
